Job Description

Financial Advisers are experts in money management and will give advice to commercial enterprises, businesses, groups, societies or private individuals on investments, savings and generally how to get the most suitable products for their needs.  They will research the marketplace to find the best deals available for their clients and may specialise in a particular product such as pensions, mortgages or investments.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You could do a financial adviser higher apprenticeship or a financial services professional degree apprenticeship.

You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could start by doing a degree in:

• financial services
• business management
• accountancy

Once you finish your course you could apply to join a financial services company or bank as a trainee adviser.

You'll usually need 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree.

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Work

You could start as a financial services administrator or customer services adviser in a bank and work your way up.

To do this, you'll need to study for a level 4 qualification in financial advice recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority. These include:

• Chartered Insurance Institute Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
• The London Institute of Banking & Finance Diploma for Financial Advisers
• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Investment Advice Diploma

More information

You'll need to register as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority.

You can find more on working in financial services through The London Institute of Banking & Finance.

You'll need to pass enhanced background checks.

Career Path and Progression

If you work for a large financial organisation, you could specialise in one area of work like retirement planning. You could also move into management, recruiting and training new staff.

With further specialised professional qualifications, you could become a director or partner in your firm.

Another option is to move into compliance work, making sure your company is following industry guidelines.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Bank manager
• Banking customer service adviser
• Business adviser
• Financial services customer adviser

Required Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to explain financial information clearly
• Negotiation and persuasive skills
• Determination to meet set targets
• A flexible approach
• Able to work under pressure
• Discretion and understanding the need for client confidentiality
• Able to make decisions
• Self motivated and able to manage your own time

Salary Range

£25,000 to £90,000